The cello was named after the Russion virtuoso Karl Yul’yevich Davidov who owned the cello in about 1885. The instrument was later played by Jacqueline du Pre. Du Pre’s teacher, William Pleath was with her when she tried out the cello, and recommended it to her as “one of the really great instruments of the world”. Du Pre’s recordings from 1965 to 1968 were all made on the “Davidov”.